The actual Caterham Super 7 that was first seen at the 1985 Earls Court Motor Fair. Caterham Cars used this event to announce the long speculated De Dion semi-independent rear suspension and this was the first production car to feature it.
Following its appearance at the 1985 Motor Fair, C375 UPD was retained by the factory as their 1986 press vehicle and factory demonstrator. It is widely featured in many factory brochures and automotive magazines, a comprehensive portfolio of which has been collected by the current owner and will be supplied with the vehicle to its new keeper.
As is befitting of a show vehicle, C375 UPD was built to the highest of standards for the time. It is finished in Old English White with the hand painted bonnet stripes featuring the words “De Dion Super Sprint”. The hood, sidescreens, boot cover and tonneau are finished in white and the interior was finished with a red “S” Type trim, including a centre arm rest and a map pocket in the passenger footwell.
Current mileage is 43400 miles. Every MOT certificate since 1992 is present, with the current one (no advisories), valid until 10th July 2018. An HPI report has been undertaken, showing no adverse information, with a copy available to the new owner.
The portfolio of documents includes several period magazines and brochures plus some official press images (on 35mm slides) that I was able to acquire for the owner whilst I was working at Caterham Cars. The car was chosen to represent 1985 in the display of fifty cars (one from each year) at the 50th anniversary celebrations back in 2007. Whilst researching the car a little further, I was amused to find an image of it on the Caterham Super Seven Wikipedia page too!
The current owner of twenty five years has kept C375 UPD as original as possible, with a large percentage of the car being the actual one that featured on the show stand 32 years ago. Whilst in my care, I have undertaken a small programme of cosmetic improvements. The leather, in particular, has responded well to a professional clean and feed, whilst retaining a patina of age. It is now ready to hand on to its next guardian who will, I hope, continue to upkeep it in its highly original form and to allow it to be seen at all future significant events and anniversaries.